Water levels dropped two and a half feet over the weekend and both Lois Creek and Kimberley Creek are now flowing within their channels.

“Our crews continued to work through the weekend pumping standing water in Morrison into the channel, shoring up sandbags to help direct water into the creek, and monitoring water levels,” says Kimberley Mayor Ron McRae. “Their efforts, combined with the favourable weather conditions, have made a huge difference as we are seeing ground in areas that have been under water since last week.”

In spite of the positive developments, the evacuation alert remains in place as rain is in the forecast for the remainder of the week. The alert will be reassessed daily, but will remain in place at least until tomorrow. Wallinger Avenue and Morrison Subdivision remain closed and 29 people remain in temporary lodging.

Fire crews are testing and rolling up the 1650 metres of hose that has been out over the past several days.  The lock blocks and sandbags on Wallinger Avenue will remain in place and the pumps will be left at the top end of Wallinger so that the City is ready to remobilize in the event the water comes back up.

“We really want to stress to the residents of Morrison Subdivision to leave the sandbags in place,” adds

McRae. “Although the water is down today, there is still a high snowpack and we cannot emphasizeenough the importance of leaving those sandbags in place in the event the situation changes.”

Damage assessments are underway on those homes affected by the flooding and a representative from Emergency Management BC has arrived in Kimberley to provide information on the Province’s process as the transition is made from response to recovery.

The City has been meeting with the residents regularly to provide information and a status update. The next meeting will be held today at 5 p.m.

By Loree Duczek

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